Amend HB 1978 (committee printing) on page 3 by striking 
lines 8 through 19 and substituting the following:
	Sec. 1506.259.  TAX CREDIT.  (a)  A health benefit plan 
issuer is entitled to a credit against its premium tax under Chapter 
222 for the portion of the issuer's regular assessment, determined 
by the board during the preceding calendar year under Section 
1506.253, for non-federally eligible individuals who qualify for 
pool coverage under Section 1506.152(a)(3), as determined by the 
pool as of December 31 of the preceding calendar year.
	(b)  The premium tax credit under this section applies to the 
premium tax due in the calendar year following the calendar year in 
which the regular assessment is determined by the pool.
	(c)  The premium tax credit under this section is limited to 
the premium tax liability due for the calendar year before the 
application of any available premium tax prepayments and guaranty 
association assessment credits. Any credit that exceeds the premium 
tax liability for a calendar year may not be carried forward to 
future years or applied to prior years.